How to Tell If Your Cat Is Having a Stroke: Symptoms, Treatment, and Diagnosis

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A stroke, also known as a cerebral vascular accident, occurs when blood flow to the brain suddenly gets interrupted. Cats do have strokes, but they are less common than they are in people. Although cat strokes are rare, they can be quite serious and require immediate veterinary care.

Here, we'll take a closer look at the signs of a stroke in cats, how your vet will make a diagnosis, and what treatments are available.

Can cats have a stroke?

Yes. Cats of any age or breed can have strokes, but they are rare. Strokes seem to be less damaging to cats compared with their human counterparts. But cat strokes are serious and require immediate veterinarian attention.

Symptoms of cat strokes

Stroke symptoms will vary depending on what area of your cat's brain was most affected. Typically, a cat's symptoms will be most severe 24 to 72 hours after they had a stroke.

Cat stroke signs and symptoms may include:

• Sudden collapse

• Head tilt

• Blindness

• Stumbling

• Rapidly moving pupils

• Unevenly sized pupils

• Disorientation and seeming to lose awareness of their surroundings

• Seizures

• Pressing their head against a hard object like a wall

• Circling repetitively

• Weakness

• Coma

• Muscle spasms

• Death

Keep in mind that these symptoms aren't necessarily signs of a stroke. Other diseases that affect the brain can cause similar issues. Your vet will help determine if a stroke or another brain disease caused your cat's symptoms.

What causes cat strokes?

With many cat strokes, the exact cause remains unknown. But various underlying medical conditions can increase your cat's risk. These conditions typically contribute to blood clots. They include:

• Cancer in the brain

• Heart disease

• High blood pressure

• Thyroid issues

• Trauma, like a head injury

• Liver disease

• Diabetes

• Parasites that travel to the brain

How do vets diagnose a cat stroke?

A stroke in cats is diagnosed based on your cat's symptoms, a physical exam, and preliminary testing. The diagnosis is usually later confirmed by a veterinary specialist.

First, your vet or one at an emergency hospital will do a complete physical and neurological exam. Be prepared to answer questions about your cat's symptoms, including when you first noticed them.

Your vet will then perform various diagnostic tests, which may include:

• Blood pressure reading

• Routine blood work

• Blood-clotting tests

• Fecal exam to check for parasites in your cat's poop

If it's suspected that your cat had a stroke, your vet might recommend taking your cat to a veterinary neurologist.

A neurologist will use an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or a CT (computed tomography) scan to look for signs of a stroke in your cat's brain. They may also do an analysis of fluid in your cat's brain and spine. These tests are usually performed at a specialty veterinary hospital.

How do you treat a cat stroke?

There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for strokes in cats. Ideally, the underlying cause of the stroke is treated, but a cause can't always be identified. Your veterinarian will come up with an individualized treatment plan to support your cat's recovery.

Treatment options your vet may recommend after your cat's stroke include:

• Medication to lower high blood pressure

• Anti-seizure medication

• Oxygen therapy

• Physical therapy

• Fluid therapy

• Nutritional support

• Assistance with going to the bathroom

Stroke treatment for cats usually requires hospitalization. How long a cat needs to be hospitalized will depend on their symptoms and how severe the stroke was. But you can expect that your cat will be in the hospital for at least a few days.

When a vet determines that your cat is stable enough to go home, you may have to continue with some at-home treatments. For example, if your cat has high blood pressure, you may need to give them daily medication. Your vet will give you instructions for your cat's care after leaving the hospital.

Can cats recover from a stroke, and how long does it take?

As with people, it is unclear if or how well your cat will recover after a stroke. But some cats make a full recovery. A full recovery is more likely if your cat's symptoms were relatively mild and they were healthy before the stroke.

A cat with more serious stroke symptoms or an underlying health condition might make only a partial recovery. Your cat may have lasting neurological problems, like a head tilt or stumbling, because of brain damage from the stroke. They may need physical therapy and other ongoing treatments.

There is no set time frame for a cat to recover from a stroke. Recovery may take awhile, so be prepared to provide your cat extra support.

Can cat strokes be prevented?

In some cases, you may be able to prevent your cat from having a stroke by treating their underlying health conditions. If your cat has heart disease, for example, this may include giving them a blood thinner like clopidogrel. This medication helps prevent dangerous clots from forming.

Annual or 6-month checkups with your vet can also help ensure you catch potential health issues before they progress to stroke and other serious complications.

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